RedAllison, not sure where your getting your info from, but as a person who buys glass I don't know of one firm in Phillipines that are capable of coating or cutting that type of lenses. They buy them from several sources. Not just one.

I would choose something in the 4-12 magnification range. 4 power is plenty low for very close game. 12 is great for long game. You can also use these powers to punch paper.

I would also opt for the 40mm because I don't think there is that much difference in a 50mm. Mounting closer to the rifle is a major advantage.

Might work for you, but hinders alot of people. They usually have your mindset until they are bit. I had my scope at 4.5 power on a moose hunt once and just when I didn't expect it, a nice bull runs across our small path 15 yards in front of us. First startled me, then I tried to throw that scope up and couldn't get right on the boiler room. All I saw was fur. From that moment on, I decided, I had no business with a 4.5-14 on anything but on target rifles.

For what I plan on hunting with this gun, I don't think I will get many 15 yard shots. But you never know.

I have leupold 2x7. 3x9 and 1.5x5 scopes right now on my hunting rifles. I just got back from a Wyoming antelope hunt where I took the longest shots at the smallest big game animals that I am likely to ever hunt. I had a 3x9 for that hunt and never felt that I needed more magnification at all. My longest shot was 413 yds (lasered) and I had no problem lining up and studying game. Having said this, this hunt did convince me that I need to replace my VARIX II 3x9x40. I find that i am less and less impressed with the optics of this scope. The Leupolds have served me well for many years with no failures at all but I think I will be upgrading that 3x9 to a Zeiss Conquest 3x9x40 next season. I really see no reason to go beyond 10x on a big game scope, in fact I see many negatives in not being able to zoom down for close and moving game. Funny how people always equate high power with quality. When I told the guy I was huntingwith that I neede to upgrade my glass he assumed I was going to jump up tp a 4.5x14 or something like that. Its what he has and he missed 3 antelope on that trip. I think most people use to much power.

Elk, neither did I, several times when the incidents occured. In fact, all the really nice trophy animals I have taken, almost all in a situation that was unplanned. Thats why hunting is full of surprises. You can get up, and face the wind, and be looking right over where you saw a animal and then see him 500 yards off where you were yesterday.

Twice now I have found myself financially able to choose between Zeiss Conquest and the comparable Leupold. Both times a side-by-side comparison favored the Zeiss, and that is what I purchased. The Leupold optics are excellent but Zeiss' are just plain better in the same price range.

Both companies ofer a superior lifetime warranty, and I doubt anyone who ever bought a Vari X III or better Leupold was anythoing other than delighted with their purchase, but the lower end Leupolds (Rifleman, VX I & VX II) are really not that impressive for the money you have to pay for them.

Just my 2 cents worth.

I guess if I hadn't of looked through a 4.5x14 while hunting, I would probably go with a smaller magnification. My hunting partner had one on his gun. For desert mule deer hunting it made it nice to look at a buck 5 or 6 hundred yards off with 14 power. The nine on my gun just didn't do what I wanted it to. Thanks for all your help. Yesterday I went and put money down on the 4.5x14.44mm Zeiss.

I own all Leupolds myself,but my next "Quality" scope will be a Zeiss...